OYOGist.com has learned that Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom State has explained why his administration is yet to allow churches in the state to hold public gathering despite easing the lockdown and reopening the local economy.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who revealed this in a phone-in radio interview in Uyo said the problem is not the church, that the problem is after church (service) what happens. According to Governor Emmanuel, the problem is not because People come into the church since it’s individually, because they use hand sanitisers and face mask.
He said the problem is when once they share the grace after the church service, people begin to hug, shake and share brotherhood and sisterhood with somebody they have not seen in one week. He also said, at that point the pastor wouldn’t be able to control the crowd, and wouldn’t be able to control how those people interact after church service.
OYOGist.com reports
OYOGist.com reports
Governor Udom further stated that apart from religious gathering, the state government is yet to lift or ease the ban on social gatherings and funerals. And that Markets in the state are opened only three times a week which is Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. And it is now mandatory for residents of the state to wear face mask whenever they are in public. He also stated that those who try to organise wedding and burial at this time would be arrested and prosecuted.
Governor Udom therefore urged citizens not to disobey but obey simple instruction and join hands to drive the curve downward. With that, everywhere will be opened. The governor said he meets every evening, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with the state COVID-19 team which is headed by the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem.
He added that there are 16 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Akwa Ibom state as of May 15. That the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said on Friday that they erroneously published that the number of infection in Akwa Ibom was 17, instead of 16. He revealed that the one case that was published as a new infection in the state on May 14 was actually a repeat case.
